2009-10 Cross Country News

"My aim is to disciple students and athletes by meeting them where they are, and leading them with the Word of God in all aspects of life." Such are the words of newly-hired Covenant College cross-country coach Scott Williams, whose objective statement clearly defines himself as both a coach, and as a Christian. Williams, a 2002 graduate of Toccoa Falls College, will indeed be looking to lead the Scots this upcoming fall, as they hit the trails in their first season without former coach Debby Vannoy at the helm. Proper, steady leadership and teaching from Williams will be essential, as the USA Track and Field Level I certified coach looks to make his initial mark on the Covenant program.

There is little doubt that cross country is a demanding sport. Its participants are required to endure both mentally and physically through the various races they run, and when they aren't racing, they're running in preparation for the next race. So where is the love in a sport that constantly consists of running and pushing your body to the limit for victory? For Covenant College freshman Jamie Beckwith, that is the answer. "Honestly, I like working hard," she says, "I mean, sometimes when I'm just plain tired I don't, but lots of times, I like feeling like I just gave it all I had."

Before attending Covenant College for his freshman year, cross country runner Enoch Elwell had never raced in his life. He was a walk-on looking for a chance to do something he felt God had given him a passion for, and even with no prior cross country experience, he nevertheless approached Coach Debby Vannoy about joining the team. "He had never run before, but he wanted to come give it a try," Coach Vannoy recalls, "I gave him a chance, though, and I remember being immediately struck by his work-ethic and natural ability. He truly had, and still has, a natural, God-given ability to run."

Debby Vannoy, the Covenant men's and women's head cross-country coach of the last 3 seasons, will be leaving Covenant and the Lookout Mountain community early next year. She and her husband, Jon, plan to move to Niceville, FL where Jon has received a new job working for HDR. "It was an opportunity that we just couldn't pass up" said Coach Vannoy, "We weren't looking to move, but the Lord has clearly orchestrated this for us. While I am sad that my time as a coach has come to an end, I am excited about this opportunity for my husband and our family." After the move, Debby will be a stay at home mom, tending to her daughters Sarah (3) and Cora (8 months).

Debby Vannoy, the Covenant men's and women's head cross-country coach of the last 3 seasons, will be leaving Covenant and the Lookout Mountain community early next year. She and her husband, Jon, plan to move to Niceville, FL where Jon has received a new job working for HDR. "It was an opportunity that we just couldn't pass up" said Coach Vannoy, "We weren't looking to move, but the Lord has clearly orchestrated this for us. While I am sad that my time as a coach has come to an end, I am excited about this opportunity for my husband and our family." After the move, Debby will be a stay at home mom, tending to her daughters Sarah (3) and Cora (8 months).

Technically, the Covenant College men's cross country team began their season on September 5th at the University of the South Invitational. They placed 9th in the competition, but it was a finish that was neither symbolic of how the season would go, nor of how the four seniors on the team would perform in the several races that faced them. Indeed, for seniors Enoch Elwell, Zach McElrath, Luke Irwin, and Daniel Pick, the season began well before the September 5th race. It began their freshman years, maybe even earlier, when they began preparing for the years ahead of them. "These four seniors have each had great careers here at Covenant," said Coach Debby Vannoy, "They've all been impact runners for us and have made an outstanding impact on our team's finish." The hard work put in by these seniors, along with contributions from other placing runners like Jonathan Preg, Zach Barnett, and Micah Schreiner, has helped set a new standard for Covenant College cross country. With top 3 finishes, like the two in the Maryville and Oglethorpe Invitationals, where they posted some impressive times, the cross country team will look to build on this foundation and carry their work ethic and momentum into next season.

In this year's NCCAA National Championship race at Cedarville University, junior Hannah Matthews became the first Covenant female to break the nineteen minute barrier in a 5k race. Hannah's record-setting 18:50 race time was good enough for 5th place overall, and helped propel the Lady Scots to a solid 8th place team finish. Tera Woods was Covenant's second finisher, completing the event in 43rd place at 20:25.

Despite their highest finishes of the year, the men's and women's cross-country teams both had solid performances across the board at the Southeastern Classic in Louisville. On the men's side, Covenant saw season bests from every competing runner as well as career bests from Zach McElrath, Daniel Pick, Jonathan Preg, Luke Irwin, Zach Barnett, Micah Schreiner, and Brett Roberts. The Scots' top five posted a 28:12 average- one of the best in Covenant history.

Despite their highest finishes of the year, the men's and women's cross-country teams both had solid performances across the board at the Southeastern Classic in Louisville. On the men's side, Covenant saw season bests from every competing runner as well as career bests from Zach McElrath, Daniel Pick, Jonathan Preg, Luke Irwin, Zach Barnett, Micah Schreiner, and Brett Roberts. The Scots' top five posted a 28:12 average- one of the best in Covenant history.

The Covenant men's and women's cross-country teams continue to see significant improvements on the year as the men finish 3rd and the women 4th at the Oglethorpe University Invitational. Although Oglethorpe's course tends to be a slow course, 5 Lady Scots managed to post their fastest race times of the season. At the front of the pack was Hannah Matthews who finished 2nd overall in the field of 74 runners. Her time was a personal season best 19:40.02- only 19 seconds behind race winner Sarah Birgen of Tennessee Wesleyan College. Tera Woods followed close behind with a personal career best 20:38.11 which proved good enough for 5th place overall, and Heather Price, in only her second race of the season, finished only 20 seconds off her personal career best at 24:48.92. "It was a break-through day for these girls," spoke Coach Vannoy on the ladies' efforts. "This race will set them up well for our race in Louisville on Saturday, which is a known to be a very fast course."

he Covenant men's and women's cross-country teams continue to see significant improvements on the year as the men finish 3rd and the women 4th at the Oglethorpe University Invitational. Although Oglethorpe's course tends to be a slow course, 5 Lady Scots managed to post their fastest race times of the season.

In perhaps the toughest course Covenant will compete in this season, the Scots and Lady Scots each managed their lowest finish of the year. The men, who took 3rd out of the 8 contending teams, placed five runners in the top thirty including Enoch Elwell who finished 3rd overall- just 15 seconds behind the race winner. Zach McElrath posted his lowest time of the season at 29:08 which granted him a 10th place finish overall.

In perhaps the toughest course Covenant will compete in this season, the Scots and Lady Scots each managed their lowest finish of the year. The men, who took 3rd out of the 8 contending teams, placed five runners in the top thirty including Enoch Elwell who finished 3rd overall- just 15 seconds behind the race winner. Zach McElrath posted his lowest time of the season at 29:08 which granted him a 10th place finish overall.

Led as always by senior Enoch Elwell, the Covenant men's cross-country team claimed 6th place out of the 16 total teams this Saturday at the Mercer Invitational in Macon, GA. The men placed 4 runners in the top 60 with freshman Jonathan Preg finishing 63rd, a mere second behind three other racers. After the race, Coach Vannoy commented, "Jonathan continues to have a great freshman season. He closed the gap to our top 5 today which made a big difference in our team's place."

Led as always by senior Enoch Elwell, the Covenant men's cross-country team claimed 6th place out of the 16 total teams this Saturday at the Mercer Invitational in Macon, GA. The men placed 4 runners in the top 60 with freshman Jonathan Preg finishing 63rd, a mere second behind three other racers. After the race, Coach Vannoy commented, "Jonathan continues to have a great freshman season. He closed the gap to our top 5 today which made a big difference in our team's place."

The Scots and Lady Scots showed much improvement in their second race of the 09-10 season this morning at the Berry College Invitational. The men, who were once again led by senior Enoch Elwell, placed 9th out of the field of 20 while Hannah Matthews led the ladies to their 10th place finish. Covenant's six returning male runners shaved an overall 2:10 off of last week's performance, and the returning four ladies dropped a total of 2:13.

The Scots and Lady Scots showed much improvement in their second race of the 09-10 season this morning at the Berry College Invitational. The men, who were once again led by senior Enoch Elwell, placed 9th out of the field of 20 while Hannah Matthews led the ladies to their 10th place finish. Covenant's six returning male runners shaved an overall 2:10 off of last week's performance, and the returning four ladies dropped a total of 2:13.

The Scots began the 2009-10 season with a ninth place finish out of eleven teams. The Lady Scots, who also competed against eleven teams, opened their season with a tenth place finish. Senior Enoch Elwell led the way for the men, posting a time of 27:48 which placed him 29th overall. The Lady Scots, who were racing without junior Hannah Matthews, were led by Tera Woods. Tera finished 50th overall for the women posting a time of 21:37. Sophomore Kelly Gillikin followed 2 seconds behind.

The Scots began the 2009-10 season with a ninth place finish out of eleven teams. The Lady Scots, who also competed against eleven teams, opened their season with a tenth place finish. Senior Enoch Elwell led the way for the men, posting a time of 27:48 which placed him 29th overall. The Lady Scots, who were racing without junior Hannah Matthews, were led by Tera Woods. Tera finished 50th overall for the women posting a time of 21:37. Sophomore Kelly Gillikin followed 2 seconds behind.